Soda Swap

I am a soda addict.  I had grand plans awhile back to cut out all soda, in an effort to be healthier (read: skinnier).   It did not work.

Then, Abby commented that she'd heard that juice and sparkling water mixed together might work for me.  Sweet + bubbles.  Just like soda!  While I admit that I never got around to trying it, one night while I was at the kids swim classes, I noticed something new in the vending machine.

Sparkling ICE.  "Naturally Flavored Sparkling Mountain Spring Water" with "ZERO CALORIES."   Hrm.  Normally I shy away from things with zero calories because they either have zero taste, or waaay too many chemicals and just taste poopy.  <-- Scientific analysis, people.  That's what you get here.  

Anyway.  It was $1.75 or something stupid in the vending machine, but I figured I'd give it a whirl.  The flavor I chose was "Crisp Apple."   I drank the whole thing not being able to decide if it tasted good or not.  It was... different.  But it had no calories and it was bubbly, and I thought, "Eh. At least it's not a soda." 

Then I went home and had a soda.  

Fast forward to a week later and I'm back to feeling like I drink too much soda, and I pick up the Orange Mango (pictured above).  I was staying in a hotel at the time and didn't get around to drinking it for awhile and it ended up warm and.... blah.  Did not like it.  

Fast forward another week (we're almost caught up, I swear) and I give it one last go.  Black Raspberry.  

Oh. My. God.  Deliciousness in a bottle.  Yum yum in my tum tum.  Seriously.  So freaking good.  And zero calories!  Have I mentioned that part?  

So.  I still have not totally given up soda, but I am trying to swap them out more for the new awesomeness I have discovered.  (Full disclosure, I also have Kiwi Strawberry, Lemonade, and Lemonade with Tea in the fridge but have not tried them yet.  They could be totally disgusting, I have no idea. If they're half as yum as the Black Raspberry, though, I'll be in heaven.)

Anyway.  Just thought I'd share my "discovery" for anyone who is looking for an alternative to soda.  Or water.  Or coffee.  Or whatever.   I was in no way compensated for this post, however if by some miracle the lovely makers of Sparkling ICE were to read this and feel like sending me a free case or whatever, I'd totally be down with that.  Yup yup.  Good stuff.